With just two games to go in the Brant County high school senior girls volleyball regular season, the Lions (2-6) sit fifth in the six-team league, one game behind fourth-place St. John's College (3-5) for the final playoff spot.

"If you asked me at the beginning of the season if we would be in this position now, I would have said, 'Absolutely not,'" said ACS coach Lisa MacNeil.

"These girls showed great potential at the beginning of the season when they went to the tiebreaker against an OFSSA-winning team at a tournament at McMaster University."

However, the Lions have been hit by injuries.

"Our team is incredibly talented," said MacNeil. "It's just been so unfortunate.

"Talent-wise, this is the best fifth-place team I have ever coached. Unfortunately, we have had some bizarre bad breaks: neck injuries, concussions, sprains and illness, all sustained off the court."

When the season got underway, the Lions had three players back from last season's team, along with three players who didn't play at all last year.

Despite all the injuries, the coach remains positive. For one thing, the Lions have taken at least one set from each team in the league. And the ups and downs have kept everyone on their toes.

"I found this season to be fun and exciting, but, then again, I like roller-coaster rides," said MacNeil.

"Sometimes, as coaches, we get so wrapped up in winning that we lose perspective. Our role as coaches is to make sure the girls have a positive experience. Win or lose."

Coaching the senior team has given McNeil a chance to coach with her daughter, Alexa Aquino, an Assumption grad who has been battling cancer. MacNeil said her daughter is doing better.

"It was a unique opportunity to coach with my daughter, who was taking a leave from university because she just finished her chemo treatments at the end of August," said MacNeil, who also is dealing with her own health issues.

"After the year Alexa and I have had, God has definitely taught us about perspective."

If Assumption can get into the playoffs, MacNeil said the Lions have the ability to make some noise.

"I love these girls," she said. "It's the only reason I came and coached because I really physically shouldn't have been coaching this season.